The Macau legislature gave initial approval to the national security law on Monday.
The Article 23 bill was passed by 25 votes to two, with one abstention. It will be studied by a legislative council committee before an article-by-article vote.
Pro-democracy legislators Au Kam San and Antonio Ng Kuok-cheong, who voted against the law, said there were still grey areas. They added that the government should extend the public consultation period.
The bill lists seven serious state-security crimes, including treason and the theft of state secrets. It also appeared to be softer than the Hong Kong version that spurred a massive protest in 2003.
But some human rights groups said it might still threaten civil liberties.
Violations of the law could result in 25 to 30 years in jail.